Eating Disorders
Summary
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the best characterized eating disorders, with well-recognized patterns of behavior, and clearly described psychological and physical consequences. Anorexia nervosa is associated with a substantial mortality, and few evidence-based effective treatments have been identified. In contrast, the efficacy of both psychological and pharmacologic interventions has been documented for bulimia nervosa. In addition to these well-characterized syndromes, a wide range of other disturbances in eating behavior, such as binge-eating disorder, may prompt individuals to seek psychiatric care. These disturbances are less well characterized and treatment interventions less clearly identified.